"What are you writing, Dongfang?"
Ichinose came over and stood beside Dongfang Yi, curiously looking at the doodle in his notebook,
and the calligraphy above it, its strokes as sharp as silver hooks and iron lines.
The characters were vigorous and powerful, the ink outlining pines standing proudly atop a mountain. The spacing between them was just right—any more and they would be too far apart, any less and they would be too cramped,
creating a uniquely natural rhythm.
It was as if writing was meant to be such an elegant and beautiful thing.
Perhaps the only problem was the strange-looking doodle in the notebook. She had no idea which anime the artist had drawn that silly, adorable girl from.
But half of it had already been scribbled out, so perhaps the artist didn't want it seen by the world.
So Ichinose was once again drawn to Dongfang Yi's handwriting. She was a little curious about what sort of book the boy was taking notes on, given how beautiful his writing was.
"Thanks to the me from yesterday, that lazy bastard left me with this mess..."
The gentle, generous girl unconsciously read the words aloud.
What was this? A light novel?
She was engrossed in it, completely unaware of Dongfang Yi's leisurely gaze beside her.
Dongfang Yi wasn't worried about her seeing anything about the system, of course.
Because the system could automatically block it...
Of course not!
This diary was a second, heavily censored version of the notes he casually kept about things,
and the parts related to the system were limited to the fresh entries he'd written today—just a few passing remarks about drawing skills.
It didn't matter if she read them.
"Today's events... Hmm... reading in the library, taking photos with Airi..."
Ichinose stopped when she reached that part. She stiffly glanced to the side, belatedly realizing that this seemed to be... a diary.
"Finished reading?"
Dongfang Yi sat upright, gazing straight ahead without turning his eyes. His hands were clasped together in front of his lips, and his low voice sounded softly in the girl's ear.
"...Gulp..." Ichinose swallowed and turned toward the window. "It's such a nice day today, haha."
A deep voice asked, "Aren't you going to say anything, Ichinose?"
His expression solemn and grave, Dongfang Yi continued to stare at the desk. His posture was as straight as a sword's edge, while his profile was utterly unremarkable.
He sat motionless in his chair like a statue, yet gave off an unusual sense of pressure.
"Ugh, I didn't mean to read it, Dongfang. Hontoni sumimasen."
Ichinose pressed her hands together against her forehead, her apology utterly sincere.
Perhaps the girl's sincerity moved the heavens, for the statue came to life. He slowly raised his head and stared straight ahead. "Ichinose, do you know what you just read?"
"Gulp. What... was it? Wasn't it a diary?"
A boulder seemed to hang suspended in Ichinose's heart, neither rising nor falling, leaving her with an inexplicable sense of unease.
"This notebook you saw holds the deepest secret in my heart. It's also something I spent countless hours painstakingly creating..."
"W-What?"
"The Guide to the Destruction of Dongfang Yi's Life."
"Huh? What is it?" Ichinose rubbed her ears in confusion, thinking she must have misheard.
"My ingenious self's self-destruction plan."
"Those two names don't sound anything alike, Dongfang." Ichinose was confused. "And why are they such... sad things? A destruction plan and a guide to ruin?"
"Do you want to know why?" Dongfang Yi asked without turning his head.
Ichinose nodded honestly.
"Because if it ever gets out, I'll have no choice but to take my own life to prove my innocence."
The stiff statue turned toward her. His voice seemed to carry boundless pain and sorrow, and tears glimmered in his clear eyes as he put on a pitiful expression.
"Ichinose, please don't tell anyone. As long as you keep it secret, I'll do anything..."
Ichinose's heart was deeply moved.
She felt like a wicked woman coercing an innocent young man, and guilt welled up inside her.
I'm awful! I actually read something this important to him!
Moved by her emotions, she nodded solemnly and promised, "I-I'll keep it to myself. I absolutely won't let it slip. You can trust me completely, Dongfang."
"You really won't?" Dongfang Yi was starting to find it worryingly easy to play the delicate, innocent victim.
"I absolutely won't! I promise. I'll never go back on my word!"
Ichinose desperately wanted Dongfang Yi to believe her, and looked him straight in the eye.
Then she watched helplessly as the boy turned his head away and covered his mouth.
"Pfft—hahaha—cough—"
Dongfang Yi's shoulders trembled slightly. A moment later, seeming to have finally composed himself, he turned back with a sorrowful look and said timidly,
"Really~? With Ichinose saying that, I-I feel so much better~"
Ichinose stared at his performance, dumbfounded.
Even someone as kind as her had realized she'd been tricked.
If Kamuro were here, she'd definitely be looking at me like I was scum, wouldn't she? That would be pretty satisfying... right?
Unfortunately, it was Ichinose. She was too gentle, so there was no fun in picking on her.
Dongfang Yi rubbed his face, loosening his facial muscles as he returned to his normal expression.
He smugly raised an eyebrow and looked at Ichinose, whose feelings were in turmoil. "You really are easy to fool, Ichinose."
"Dongfang, have you heard the story of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'?" Ichinose felt a little angry. "Liars never come to a good end."
"But before a liar gets what's coming to him, it's always the honest people he deceives who suffer the consequences," Dongfang Yi retorted without a care. He pointed to the chair beside them. "Sit down, Ichinose."
Ichinose huffily gathered her white skirt and sat in the chair Dongfang Yi pulled out for her.
She was a little annoyed.
She was still dressed impeccably in her uniform today. Her soft, shapely curves filled it out without a single wrinkle, and even the bangs on her forehead had been carefully arranged.
She looked as though she was about to attend some sort of event.
"Do you have an interview this afternoon?" Dongfang Yi asked softly.
"Yes." Ichinose felt that all the good mood she'd gotten from seeing him had been ruined. She waved a small fist. "I'll definitely become a Student Council officer and make you properly admit you were wrong, Dongfang!"
"Mm, I think you'll make an excellent Student Council member, Ichinose. You'll definitely handle all your Student Council work well." Dongfang Yi smiled gently and encouraged her. "I also believe you'll do your best to help everyone in need overcome their difficulties."
"Huh?" Embarrassed by his praise, Ichinose looked away. "I-I'm not as good as you say..."
"I saw it."
"Huh?"
"I saw you helping a classmate work through a problem at the café," Dongfang Yi said with a smile.
Before you continue